{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853873","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853873","title":"Diagnosis and throughput measurement of fibre channel ports in a storage area network environment","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-01-10T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"An example method for diagnosis and throughput measurement of FC ports in a SAN environment is provided and includes generating, by a control processor at a generator in the SAN, a control packet requesting a link test to be performed with a reflector in the SAN, sending the control packet to the reflector through a media access controller (MAC) of the generator, receiving, at the MAC of the generator, an acknowledgement from the reflector indicating ability to perform the requested link test, generating, at the MAC of the generator, a test data packet for the link test, performing the link test with the reflector, and analyzing, at the generator, network parameters based on results of the link test."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Diagnosis and Throughput Measurement of Fibre Channel Ports in a Storage Area Network Environment patent introduces a novel approach to diagnosing and measuring the performance of Fibre Channel (FC) ports within a Storage Area Network (SAN). The core innovation lies in its ability to generate control packets to initiate link tests between a generator and a reflector within the SAN, enabling real-time analysis of network parameters and identification of potential bottlenecks. This technology addresses the critical problem of suboptimal resource allocation and performance degradation in SAN environments, where traditional monitoring methods often fall short in providing granular insights into port behavior.\n\nThe key technical approach involves using a control processor at a generator to create control packets requesting a link test. These packets are sent to a reflector through a media access controller (MAC). Upon receiving an acknowledgement, the MAC generates test data packets for the link test. The results of the link test are then analyzed at the generator to assess network performance. This process allows for the identification of underperforming ports, enabling administrators to redistribute workloads and optimize port configurations.\n\nThe business value of this innovation lies in its ability to improve overall system performance, reduce operational costs, and prevent performance degradation. By providing real-time monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, the technology enables proactive intervention, ensuring consistent data delivery and seamless access to critical data resources. The market opportunity for this technology is significant, particularly in data centers, cloud computing platforms, and enterprise storage solutions where high-performance storage is critical. The Diagnosis and Throughput Measurement of Fibre Channel Ports in a Storage Area Network Environment patent represents a valuable tool for businesses seeking to optimize their data storage infrastructure and enhance their competitive advantage.","layman_explanation":"The Diagnosis and Throughput Measurement of Fibre Channel Ports in a Storage Area Network Environment patent addresses the critical issue of maintaining optimal performance in Storage Area Networks (SANs), which are essential components of modern data infrastructure. These networks are responsible for storing and delivering vast amounts of data, and any slowdowns or bottlenecks can have significant business implications.\n\n**What Problem Does This Solve?**\nSANs can experience performance degradation due to various factors, such as network congestion, hardware failures, or inefficient configurations. Existing monitoring tools often lack the granularity and real-time capabilities needed to identify the root cause of these issues. This can lead to prolonged downtime, reduced productivity, and increased operational costs. The Diagnosis and Throughput Measurement of Fibre Channel Ports in a Storage Area Network Environment patent aims to solve this problem by providing a more comprehensive and proactive approach to SAN monitoring.\n\n**How Does It Work?**\nImagine a highway system with multiple lanes. This patent is like a traffic monitoring system that continuously assesses the speed and flow of cars in each lane (Fibre Channel ports). It sends out special vehicles (control packets) to test the performance of each lane. If a lane is experiencing congestion, the system identifies the bottleneck and provides recommendations for rerouting traffic or optimizing the lane configuration. This is achieved by generating control packets to initiate link tests between a generator and a reflector within the SAN. The results of these tests are then analyzed to identify underperforming ports and optimize data flow.\n\n**Why Does This Matter?**\nThis innovation has significant implications for businesses that rely on high-performance data storage. By providing real-time monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, it enables organizations to proactively address performance issues before they impact critical operations. This can lead to reduced downtime, improved productivity, and increased customer satisfaction. The market impact is substantial, as it addresses a growing need for efficient and reliable data storage solutions. The competitive advantages include its ability to provide granular insights into port performance and its proactive approach to SAN management. The potential ROI is significant, as it can help organizations reduce operational costs and maximize the value of their data assets.\n\n**What's Next?**\nFuture applications of this technology may include integration with other infrastructure management tools and increased automation of SAN optimization processes. Market adoption is expected to grow as more organizations recognize the importance of proactive SAN management. Investment implications are positive, as this technology represents a valuable tool for businesses seeking to optimize their data storage infrastructure and gain a competitive edge.","technical_analysis":"The Diagnosis and Throughput Measurement of Fibre Channel Ports in a Storage Area Network Environment patent details a system for proactive SAN management using targeted link tests. The technical architecture revolves around a generator and a reflector within the SAN. The generator houses a control processor and a media access controller (MAC). The control processor is responsible for creating control packets that request a link test to be performed with the reflector. These control packets are then sent to the reflector via the MAC.\n\nUpon receiving a control packet, the reflector acknowledges its ability to perform the requested link test. This acknowledgement is sent back to the MAC of the generator. Once the generator's MAC receives this acknowledgement, it generates test data packets specifically designed for the link test. The link test is then executed, and the results are captured at the generator. The generator analyzes the captured network parameters based on the link test results. These parameters may include latency, packet loss, and throughput.\n\nImplementation details likely involve custom firmware or software running on the control processor and MAC. The algorithm for generating and analyzing the test data packets is crucial for accurate throughput measurement. Integration with existing SAN management tools is also a key consideration. Performance characteristics depend on the speed of the control processor, the efficiency of the MAC, and the network conditions. Code-level implications include the need for efficient packet processing and accurate timestamping to measure latency. This approach allows for targeted diagnosis and optimization of Fibre Channel ports, leading to improved SAN performance and reliability.","business_analysis":"The Diagnosis and Throughput Measurement of Fibre Channel Ports in a Storage Area Network Environment patent presents a significant business opportunity within the storage infrastructure market. The increasing demand for high-performance, reliable data storage solutions drives the need for effective SAN management tools. The market opportunity size is substantial, encompassing data centers, cloud service providers, and enterprises with large-scale storage needs. This technology offers several competitive advantages. It provides real-time, granular insights into FC port performance, enabling proactive identification and resolution of bottlenecks. This leads to improved system performance, reduced downtime, and optimized resource allocation.\n\nThe revenue potential for this technology can be realized through various business models, including software licensing, subscription services, and integration with existing SAN management platforms. Strategic positioning involves targeting organizations that prioritize high availability and performance for their data storage infrastructure. ROI projections indicate that the investment in this technology can be quickly recouped through reduced operational costs and increased productivity. The Diagnosis and Throughput Measurement of Fibre Channel Ports in a Storage Area Network Environment patent allows businesses to optimize their SAN infrastructure, ensuring efficient data delivery and supporting critical business applications. This technology provides a competitive edge by enabling organizations to maximize the value of their data assets and improve their overall business performance.","faqs":null,"topics":["SAN performance","fibre channel diagnosis","throughput measurement","network optimization","data storage","diagnosis","throughput","measurement"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"SAN Fibre Channel Diagnosis & Throughput - Patent US-9853873","description":"Discover how the Diagnosis and Throughput Measurement of Fibre Channel Ports in a Storage Area Network Environment improves SAN performance. Full patent analysis, claims, and technical details.","keywords":["SAN performance","fibre channel diagnosis","throughput measurement","network optimization","data storage","patent","patent US-9853873"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853873","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853873","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Diagnosis and throughput measurement of fibre channel ports in a storage area network environment\" (US-9853873). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853873","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853873","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853873","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T07:55:38.644Z"}